Yeah, I know they were (and probably still are) plentiful in Europe, but my perception - for what it's worth - is that they were highly unreliable, fraught with electrical problems and were popular in that market only because they were cheap and available. Perhaps my perception is incorrect.
Well, not incompetent. There were millions of those cars running around Europe living long, productive lives. It's all relative, of course—it's still a Fiat from the mid '60s. But judged by the standards of the times a competent design.
Yeah, I know they were (and probably still are) plentiful in Europe, but my perception - for what it's worth - is that they were highly unreliable, fraught with electrical problems and were popular in that market only because they were cheap and available. Perhaps my perception is incorrect.
Well, not incompetent. There were millions of those cars running around Europe living long, productive lives. It's all relative, of course—it's still a Fiat from the mid '60s. But judged by the standards of the times a competent design.
DaveInVA
Single, unwanted, unloved eccentric, crusty ol' fart with cat
Location: In a hovel in effluent Damnville, VA Gender: Zodiac: Chinese Yr:
Posted:
May 13, 2012 - 2:54pm
oldslabsides wrote:
yes, I know. and how is that better?
Well FIAT does stand for "F*cked In Ass Transportation". Actually I've owned a few of them and the 58 1100 sedan I owned was a great car that never let me down and had at least 200k miles on it and still kept on a runnin'
A distant cousin of mine had one of these in silver back in the early 70's. Somehow he got the thing doing high 12s in a quarter mile. Zippy little bugger. My mom drove the Mercury version, Bobcat. Other than that exploding gas tank thingy they weren't all that bad a car. Fortunatly my moms met it's end when she rear ended a big old Pontiac. No flames, but no more Bobcat.
Ahh yes but they did come up with the T-34 thought by some to be the best overall tank of WWII.
Indeed, they did get it right with that one.
mzpro5
A cat can have kittens in the oven but that doesn't make them biscuits
Location: Budda'spet, Hungry Gender: Zodiac: Chinese Yr:
Posted:
May 13, 2012 - 8:54am
oldslabsides wrote:
Soviet Union KV 2
An example of the failed "heavy assault tank" concept popular with some at the time, this was the result of installing a ridiculously outsized turret on an already marginal tank chassis and stuffing the biggest gun available in it. It was an unhappy amalgamation that was frequently abandoned on the field due to mechanical failure. After the miserable performance of the 300 or so examples available when the Germans invaded, it was decided no more would be manufactured.
Ahh yes but they did come up with the T-34 thought by some to be the best overall tank of WWII.
Thanks for the laughs, guys. 
